Featured Electrify America and Charge Point Share Billing

is there such a thing as a double screwing?

 

I'm a bit confused, isn't joining either program as simple as downloading an app and linking a credit card? Sure, its a hassle, but its not like its prohibitive to do.

 

There is what, three national charging networks(not counting Tesla)? In the future, there can be more plus local ones.
How would you feel about having to go through this pay process for every gas station brand?

 

Also, each account will charge your credit card, then keep up to $25 in credit. I know that ChargePoint does this because I have two different ChargePoint accounts. One is linked to my work where I get free charging. However after 4 hours there is a fee. Once I accidentally went over 4 hrs, so they charged my credit card $25...and I now have a $24.75 credit waiting to be used.

Mike

 

Fair enough.

Ok, that's a good reason to allow roaming. I don't want to have unused money floating across multiple accounts.

 

Why? Well, I can see why, but why make it so different than filling up a gas tank?

I think that is the core of why I dislike the app based system. We want people to switch to plug ins. On the fundamental level, people don't like change though. Being different is part of the hurdle people have with going plug in. Adding to that hurdle by making public charging as different from using a pump as possible doesn't help with getting people to switch.

 

I think that people make too big a deal of this. Most people have a commute routine and will almost always charge at the same place all the time. And more frequently than filling with gas, by a lot. Most people who drive long distances in BEVs are in Tesla's using superchargers. I would guess that there are very few BEV owners where getting an app or account is a big deterrent.

Going forward it is a good idea to allow just swiping a credit card...but it isn't a big deal to me.

Mike

 

And most people probably use the same gas station, but if they needed to stop at another brand, they don't have to go through a sign up process to just get gas.

Then there is the fact that not everyone can be freewheeling with the cell data or even have a smart phone. Yeah, not likely for people getting plug ins today, but the car prices will down, and more will become available in the used market.

It is the going forward part that is important, and it is easier to address while there is just a couple of networks.

 

Chargepoint offers that for a minor upcharge.

 

So in order to charge my car, I need to buy a special telephone? And have it with me in the car at all times? Mmmm, how about "No"

 

I went to the EVGo site. It's a hundred bucks a year to be a member. There is a non member plan but I can't seem to find anything about what it costs without actually buying one.

In the fine print they say:

Price valid on EVgo Network only. Other fees may apply for out-of-network charging. Rates effective February 12th, 2019. Unregistered customers can also walk up and pay by credit card at the charger. Credit card fees vary based on location.

So even if I am a member they are still vague about what it would actually cost or what conditions come with a non member purchase. Pass.

There is a Chargepoint location near me. When it first came in I planned on using it when I went into town. It only takes about ten cents worth of electricity to charge a Pip but I figured I would do it to help them demonstrate that there is a demand. It is billed as being free but you need to show it ID before it will do anything. None of my ID is satisfactory.

What I want is to be able to walk up and put quarters in the slot, or feed the machine dollar bills, or if it is associated with a retail operation, just walk up and pay at the counter. I don't know these companies. I don't want a special relationship with them. I don't want to carry around special equipment to make their systems work.

I don't need a dozen different companies tallying up my movements and sending me exciting promotional opportunities. I am sure they would protect my personal information at least as well as Facebook. If they need to milk me for data, let them pay me to use their service. Let them be honest and up front about it. Then I might do it.

The Chinese have a system where you can't buy fuel without presenting ID. A permanent record is made of the sale, your name, and what vehicle is associated with the purchase. It is not a crime to buy fuel for a vehicle not registered in your name but it does flag your social credit account for inspection.

I like our system better.


(Oh, and also, stay off my lawn)

 

I don't know bout those now but I joined ChargePoint for nothing, EVGo for nothing, and a couple of others for nothing.

Years ago I had a couple of gas station credit cards. I did not expect them to tell me the price of gas. I'm sure they would have said the price is set by the individual station owner.

I don't know about an ID...you need to tap your RFID card they send you when you join...or your phone.

Sure, that is a good business model. You should start a company that has a person in a booth to take a credit card and you go plug in your car. You'll probably have to pay a big salary and charge a minimum of $5.00 for $0.10 worth of electricity.
Maybe the quarter thing will work better and you'll be paying someone to go around and collect the quarters just like a parking meter.

I guess most people don't think phones are "special" equipment...somehow you figured out how to use a computer to post here, though.
You can have an account with no phone, too. But you need a RFID card to tap.

You have a PIP....you can charge at home with none of this complexity and fill up at the gas station the old way.

For the record, I don't get many emails from ChargePoint other than those I asked for when charging ends or I get unplugged, etc.
Maybe a couple per year. In return I get free charging at those ChargePoint stations where the owner charges nothing.
Are they "tracking" me...sure, just like my former gas station tracked all my fill ups.

Mike